A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty "Hi yo, Silver!" The Lone Ranger!

MUSIC:

THEME (FROM THE WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE) ... OUT BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver! The Lone Ranger rides again!

SOUND:

THUNDERING HOOFBEATS FADE IN DURING ABOVE, CONTINUE BEHIND--

LONE RANGER:

Come on, Silver! Let's go, big fellow! Hi yo, Silver! Away!

SOUND:

HOOFBEATS OUT BEHIND--

MUSIC:

THEME FADES UP ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

In response to hundreds of requests from interested listeners, this LONE RANGER program will retell the story of the origin of the Lone Ranger -- how he met Tonto, how he got his name, and how the Lone Ranger found the great horse Silver.

This is the story of a man who buried his identity to dedicate his life to the service of humanity and country. It is the story of an American heritage, the story of the Lone Ranger.

MUSIC:

FADES OUT

SOUND:

SIX HORSES' HOOFBEATS WALKING THROUGH CANYON ... CONTINUES IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Six men guided their horses along a canyon floor toward the hideout of the Cavendish gang -- the strongest, most ruthless gang in all the West. The six were undismayed by the heavy odds against them. They were Texas Rangers.

We have no choice; we must trust him. We've got to know if Butch Cavendish has learned that we're heading for his hideout.

LONE RANGER:

Well, you're the captain.

CAPTAIN:

(LOW) Forget that for a minute. I want to speak to you brother to brother. (BEAT) My wife and son are coming from the east. If something happens to me and you survive-- Well, I - I know you'll take care of Danny.

LONE RANGER:

You know I will.

CAPTAIN:

If I don't survive, I'm going to count on you to resign from the Rangers and work that silver mine we've staked out. Use my share to raise my son, your nephew.

SOUND:

A HORSE'S HOOFBEATS APPROACH DURING ABOVE

RANGER:

(OFF) Here comes the scout, captain.

SOUND:

HORSE SLOWS TO A STOP BEHIND--

COLLINS:

(TO HORSE) Ho! Ho, boy!

CAPTAIN:

What's the word, Collins?

COLLINS:

Good news, Captain Reid. It's all clear. I scouted the rim on both sides of the canyon and found no sign of the Cavendish outfit.

CAPTAIN:

All right, boys! Let's go get Cavendish! (TO HORSE) Get up, there!

BIZ:

RANGERS MURMUR TO THEIR HORSES ("GIDDYAP!", ET CETERA)

SOUND:

HORSES' HOOFBEATS RIDE OFF

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

The guide named Collins remained behind as the Rangers moved in single file along the floor of the rock-strewn canyon. They didn't know that Collins had lied, that Butch Cavendish and his killers were waiting on the rim of the ravine.

CAVENDISH:

(LOW) Now listen, we'll hold our fire until they're right below. The men on the other side of the canyon will start shootin' when we do. We'll have those Rangers trapped between us.

1ST GANG:

That's a good idea, boss.

2ND GANG:

Right, boss.

CAVENDISH:

We'll have to shoot straight. Be sure to get all six of those men. We can't get down to the floor of that canyon without goin' all the way back to the hideout, and it'll be dark in half an hour, so don't take chances. When a man goes down, keep on pourin' lead into him till you're sure he's dead. Now get ready.

Several hits were scored with the opening volley from the outlaws' guns, but none of the wounds were fatal.

CAPTAIN:

Off your horses, men! Spread out!

ANNOUNCER:

Six men swung from their saddles and spread out as they returned the fire from both sides of the canyon. They hugged the ground, taking advantage of the meager protection afforded by small rocks. Then one of the guns was silenced, but five returned the deadly fire from up above.

CAPTAIN:

Double-crossed! If any of us get out of this, we have a score to settle with that scout Collins!

ANNOUNCER:

The captain and his brother fought side by side, while bullets from both sides of the canyon crashed into rocks on both sides.

(DYING) I'm going. Then there'll be two. Do you remember the promise? My boy, little Dan?

LONE RANGER:

As long as I live, I'll not forget that promise.

SOUND:

IN CLOSE, LONE RANGER FIRES MORE SHOTS ... GUNFIGHT SUBSIDES BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

The outlaws on the rim grew bolder when they saw that there was but one gun firing from the canyon floor. Then that gun, too, went silent.

MUSIC:

SOMBER BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

SOUND:

NOCTURNAL BACKGROUND (CRICKETS CHIRP, ET CETERA)

ANNOUNCER:

Twilight deepened into darkness, relieved by the cold light of a full moon. And then another figure moved among the still bodies. It was an Indian, clad in a jacket of fringed buckskin. He examined the men to whom heroic deeds had been a part of each day's work.

TONTO:

Him dead.

ANNOUNCER:

Five times the Indian found a man whose soul had gone to join the immortals, but when he came to the sixth, he found what Collins had failed to discover. He found a faint spark of life still burning. The Indian lifted this man tenderly in his strong arms and carried him away.

MUSIC:

UP, FOR A BRIEF TRANSITION ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

The wounded man was taken to a nearby cave where the Indian bathed and dressed the wounds as best he could. Then he took a spade from one side of the cave and returned to the canyon where he worked steadily until the dead men had been buried. Returning to the cavern he sat watching, listening periodically to the faint beat of a gallant heart through the remaining hours of the night. Daybreak found that heartbeat stronger, but by nightfall a new enemy assailed the Ranger. The wounds became infected and there was fever. The Indian called on all the lore he knew, and went through two days and nights without rest in a valiant effort to combat the all-consuming fever that threatened to kill where outlaws' guns had failed.

MUSIC:

UP, FOR A TENSE TRANSITION ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

It was daybreak when the Ranger opened his eyes, and for the first time, the Indian saw them, clear and calm.

TONTO:

You wake? Me glad.

LONE RANGER:

(VERY WEAK) Yes. But I-- So weak.

TONTO:

You wounded bad.

LONE RANGER:

(EXHALES DEEPLY) I - I remember an ambush.

TONTO:

That right. Me find you in canyon, carry you here.

LONE RANGER:

This is a - a cave?

TONTO:

That right.

LONE RANGER:

Why, it's daylight.

TONTO:

(CASUAL) Oh, it morning.

LONE RANGER:

Then I - I must have been unconscious all night.

TONTO:

It four days since fight in canyon.

LONE RANGER:

There - there's something familiar about you.

TONTO:

Many year ago, when you only boy, you find Indian boy in trouble. You save life of Indian boy.

LONE RANGER:

Now I remember. Your name is -- Tonto.

TONTO:

That right.

LONE RANGER:

It was you who found me -- dressed my wounds -- saved my life.

TONTO:

(GRUNTS AFFIRMATION) Uh.

LONE RANGER:

I - I remember what you called me years ago. You called me "Ke-mo sah-bee."

TONTO:

That right. Ke-mo sah-bee -- it mean, "trusty scout."

LONE RANGER:

Tonto, there were six of us in that canyon. The others-- What about the other Rangers?

MUSIC:

THEME SNEAKS IN GENTLY, CONTINUES IN BG

TONTO:

Other Rangers all dead.

LONE RANGER:

Dead?

TONTO:

(GRUNTS AFFIRMATION) Uh.

LONE RANGER:

One of them was my brother.

TONTO:

Mm? You only one left. You - lone Ranger.

LONE RANGER:

The lone Ranger, the only one who knows about that gang. I'm going to get every one of those crooks. I'm going to carry on that war. For every one of the men who died, a hundred crooks are going to feel the weight of justice, God willing. I'll make every criminal in the new frontier regret the day you found a dying Ranger and nursed him back to life. Soon as I'm strong enough to carry guns, I'll be The Lone Ranger.

MUSIC:

THEME UP, FOR TRANSITION ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

Tonto was amazed at the sudden strength that seemed to surge through the wounded man. He seemed to be transformed by some strange alchemy into the composite of all six Rangers. In his eyes, there was a light that must have burned in the eyes of knights in armor -- a light that, through the ages, lifted the souls of strong men who fought for justice, for Christianity.

LONE RANGER:

(WEAKLY) Tonto, those killers know me by sight. They know one of the Rangers escaped. They'll look for him.

TONTO:

Them not know one escape, ke-mo sah-bee. Tonto bury five men, make six mounds. Crooks think you die with others.

LONE RANGER:

Then my identity shall be forever buried with my brother and my friends. From now on, my - my face must be concealed by a mask or - or disguise.

TONTO:

You stay quiet five, six day. Get strength back.

LONE RANGER:

Tonto, while we go after the Cavendish gang, we've got to watch for a little boy and his mother who are coming from the east. We've got to go to a silver mine.

TONTO:

Silver mine?

LONE RANGER:

Yes, a secret one. I know an old man I can trust; he used to be a Ranger. He'll stay at the mine and work it just enough to supply the cash we'll need. (GROWING TIRED) So - so much to be done. So much.

Several weeks had elapsed since the massacre in Bryant's Gap. The Ranger whom Tonto had rescued had regained his strength and ridden with an old man into a remote section of the hills, where a small shack concealed the entrance to a silver mine.

SOUND:

SHACK DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN ... FOOTSTEPS IN

JIM:

So this is the shack you and your brother built.

SOUND:

SHACK DOOR SQUEAKS SHUT

LONE RANGER:

Yes, Jim, this is where you'll have to live and work.

JIM:

Sure sorry to hear about the death of your brother. He was a fine man. Didn't he have a little boy?

LONE RANGER:

Yes, Jim. Now that my brother's gone, half of this silver mine belongs to his son.

JIM:

Where is the boy?

LONE RANGER:

I don't know. But I've got to find him. I hope I can be as much to him as my brother was to me.

JIM:

Well, you and the boy will be pretty well fixed with this silver mine.

LONE RANGER:

All I want out of it is enough for my immediate needs. You may have the rest of my share.

JIM:

(SCOFFS) Oh, no.

LONE RANGER:

That's all right, Jim. You're entitled to it. You'll have to do all the work. And remember -- you're never to reveal the fact that I have any connection with this silver mine. I have nothing to do with it. To all intents and purposes, it belongs to you.

JIM:

I could refine a little ore right here in the shack.

LONE RANGER:

That's what I want you to do, Jim. I'll come here when I need money or bullets.

JIM:

Bullets?

LONE RANGER:

Yes, I want some of the ore cast into silver bullets.

JIM:

Thunderation! Lead bullets are good enough to get revenge against the Cavendish gang!

LONE RANGER:

I'll not use the bullets for revenge, Jim. I want them to be a symbol of justice by law. I want those who see them to be reminded that sooner or later every criminal will be defeated.

JIM:

The best justice.

LONE RANGER:

Yes, I-- I made my plans carefully, Jim. I'm sure I'm right.

JIM:

(BEAT) Well, when're ya startin' out?

LONE RANGER:

As soon as Tonto arrives with strong horses.

MUSIC:

TRANSITION ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

The curtain falls on the first act of our LONE RANGER story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments.

During the next few days, the man who had become the Lone Ranger helped his old friend bring ore from the tunnel and refine it into purest silver which was cast into bullets that studded a heavy gun belt. In the meantime, he made a mask to cover the upper portion of his face. Then Tonto returned with strong horses -- and bad news.

TONTO:

Indians and outlaw gang make raid on wagon train from east. All wagons burned and all people killed.

LONE RANGER:

Tonto, my brother's wife and son were coming from the east on a wagon train. I wonder if it's the one that--

TONTO:

Me find trunk all burned.

JIM:

A trunk?

TONTO:

(GRUNTS AFFIRMATION) Uh. Copper plate on trunk. Me bring it here, show you. There -- name on plate.

LONE RANGER:

(READS) "Reid." (SOMBERLY) My brother's trunk. (BEAT) Tonto, was there--? Does anyone know if there was a little boy on that caravan?

TONTO:

Me not know.

LONE RANGER:

I wonder if we'll ever know.

JIM:

I expect you'll be startin' out tomorrow.

LONE RANGER:

No, not tomorrow, Jim. We're starting out right now. (MOVING OFF) We have a lot to do. Hit the saddle, Tonto.

The Lone Ranger quickly captured several members of the Cavendish gang. Others knew that they were hunted men; they scattered and fled in all directions. But the masked man maintained a relentless pursuit of one after another. The trails led through several states. Collins, the faithless scout, was run to earth in Laramie. His pal was caught in Julesburg, and another of the killers was turned over to the law in Cheyenne. Months had gone by since the masked man had started his mission. Butch Cavendish himself was the only member of the gang who remained at large. He knew that he was hunted. He knew that his masked nemesis could be stopped only by death. [X] On one occasion, the Lone Ranger had come close, but Cavendish owned the faster horse. He got away, but his escape was only temporary. With Tonto at his side, the masked man pressed on until the trail was new and sharp.

SOUND:

TWO HORSES' HOOFBEATS ... IN BG

TONTO:

We close to Cavendish now, ke-mo sah-bee.

LONE RANGER:

Yes, Tonto, he can't be far ahead.

TONTO:

Him outrun us last time. Maybe better if we shoot on sight.

LONE RANGER:

No, I want to take him alive. I--

SOUND:

GUNSHOT! HORSE STUMBLES, WHINNIES IN PAIN

TONTO:

Look out!

LONE RANGER:

(TO HORSE) Steady, there. Steady, boy.

SOUND:

HORSE FALLS

TONTO:

Over there -- killer in ambush. Him ride 'way.

LONE RANGER:

He shot my horse, Tonto. Get after him!

TONTO:

(TO HORSE) Get 'em up, Feller!

SOUND:

HORSE GALLOPS OFF

MUSIC:

BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

Once more, the superior speed of the outlaw's horse carried Cavendish to safety. When Tonto returned from the futile chase, the masked man stood beside his dead horse.

LONE RANGER:

A good horse, Tonto; loyal, faithful, and brave. But my next horse must be faster. I wish that-- (GETS AN IDEA) Tonto? We've heard stories of a wild horse -- a fiery white stallion.

TONTO:

(GRUNTS AFFIRMATION) Uh. Him seen near valley, over that way.

LONE RANGER:

Yes. Cavendish went that way. We'll be on the lookout for the wild horse as well as a man.

MUSIC:

TRANSITION ... THEN IN BG--

ANNOUNCER:

Tonto's horse carried the Lone Ranger's saddle and supplies, while the masked man and the Indian continued along the outlaw's trail with dogged perseverance. In the meantime, a fiery white stallion, the king of Wild Horse Valley, had left the green hills to seek adventure in the outer world. He met a buffalo -- a shaggy monster of tremendous size and strength, whose evil eyes burned with a lust for murder as he challenged the White One to battle.

SOUND:

BUFFALO ROARS AND HORSE WHINNIES ... THE TWO CREATURES FIGHT, IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

ANNOUNCER:

It was a fight of earth-shaking fury. The sun flashed from the sleek body of the White One as he dodged and sidestepped charge after charge, then reared high to strike at the infuriated adversary. He was nimble and courageous, but his strength began to wane as the battle went on. The buffalo charged again and again. The splendid muscles of the White One were slower in responding. Then -- too slow.

SOUND:

HORSE WHINNIES IN PAIN

ANNOUNCER:

He was caught by the shaggy monsters charge. Wet crimson stained his pure white coat. Another charge! The White One saw it coming and he couldn't dodge! He staggered and fell. The monster drew back. His head was lowered and he pawed the ground, in readiness for the charge that would drive his bull horns deep within the White One's body -- the death charge! And then two shots rang out!

SOUND:

TWO GUNSHOTS!

ANNOUNCER:

The buffalo shuddered from the impact of the masked man's silver bullets. For an instant, he stood motionless -- then fell.

SOUND:

SOMBER ACCENT ... THEN BEHIND ANNOUNCER--

ANNOUNCER:

Cruelly battered and bruised, the white stallion lay quietly, but his soft eyes watched every move as the Lone Ranger bathed his wounds and wiped the dust from his delicate nostrils with a damp cloth. For a long time, he rested -- then scrambled to his feet!

SOUND:

HORSE SCRAMBLES UP ... THEN RUNS AROUND IN BG--

TONTO:

Me get rope. Him run 'way!

LONE RANGER:

No, wait, Tonto.

TONTO:

But him go.

LONE RANGER:

Let him go. I like that horse more than anything in the world. He deserves his freedom. He fought for it.

SOUND:

HORSE SLOWS TO A STOP

TONTO:

Him stop.

LONE RANGER:

Yes, he's turned. He's looking at us. See how white he is?

TONTO:

(GRUNTS AFFIRMATION) Uh. Him silver white.

LONE RANGER:

(LOVINGLY) Silver. That would be a name for him. (CALLS) Here, Silver!

SOUND:

FROM OFF, HORSE WHINNIES IN RESPONSE

TONTO:

Him plenty wild.

SOUND:

HORSE APPROACHES

LONE RANGER:

Tonto! Tonto, he's coming toward us.

TONTO:

(GRUNTS AFFIRMATION) Mmmm.

LONE RANGER:

(WARMLY, TO HORSE) Silver-- Silver, you beauty!

SOUND:

IN CLOSE, HORSE WHINNIES

LONE RANGER:

Tonto, hand me a halter.

TONTO:

(MURMURS AGREEMENT) Uh.

LONE RANGER:

If he could only know how badly we need him. (TO HORSE) Steady, there. Steady, Silver.

TONTO:

(SURPRISED, IMPRESSED) Oh. Him let you use halter.

LONE RANGER:

The saddle, Tonto.

TONTO:

(SKEPTICAL) Oh, no horse like that take saddle.

LONE RANGER:

(ENTHRALLED) Never was a horse like this.

SOUND:

SADDLE STRAPPED ON BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

As the mighty stallion felt the pressure of the saddle on his powerful back, he trembled as if from a chill. Every instinct told him he must flee at once to preserve his freedom -- and yet he stood his ground, submitting to the things done by the man who had saved his life. It wasn't gratitude that kept him there; it was something stronger, some mysterious bond of friendship and understanding. He heard the man's low voice and liked it.

The powerful white stallion had no bit to guide him -- there was nothing but a halter -- but he seemed to know just what his new friend desired. He was eager to please, eager to show his strength and speed. His flowing mane and tail streamed out like banners in the wind. No hooves had ever beat the plains like those thundering hooves of the great horse Silver. Presently, Cavendish came into view.

LONE RANGER:

There he is! COME ON, SILVER!

ANNOUNCER:

The mighty stallion responds with a new burst of speed that quickly cut down the lead of the man ahead. Cavendish fired wild shots over his shoulder--

SOUND:

GUNSHOTS

ANNOUNCER:

Again and again he fired until his gun was empty. His horse was no match for the charging White One. Fear and panic filled the outlaw's face. He heard the hoofbeats ever nearer, and then the masked man shouts--

LONE RANGER:

I want you, Cavendish!

CAVENDISH:

Get away! Get away, do you hear me?! Let me be! Let me be! Get away, I tell you!

ANNOUNCER:

The two were side by side. The masked man leaned out, reached -- then threw himself at Cavendish!

SOUND:

HORSES' HOOFBEATS OUT WITH--

MUSIC:

UP, FOR AN ACCENT ... THEN IN BG ... INCREASINGLY HEROIC, IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

LONE RANGER:

Come on, Cavendish, on your feet!

CAVENDISH:

No! Don't hit me again; don't kill me!

LONE RANGER:

I'm not going to kill you. I'll let the law do that. The hangman's rope is waiting for you.

ANNOUNCER:

The masked man's mission was accomplished. He had captured the last member of the Cavendish gang. But there were other outlaws, other trails that beckoned the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and the white horse Silver.

MUSIC:

UP, TO FILL A PAUSE, THEN IN BG

SOUND:

HORSE'S HOOFBEATS IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

The rest is history. The Lone Ranger turned the blinding light of justice on criminals in all communities, but he never forgot the promise made to his brother, a promise to try to find the boy, Dan Reid.

He fought claim jumpers, rustlers, and smugglers. Side by side, he fought with builders of the West, the pioneers in covered wagons, the carriers of mail, the stage lines and the pony riders. He became known throughout the West by his mask, the white horse Silver, and a ringing cry--

LONE RANGER:

HI YO, SILVER!

SOUND:

HORSE'S HOOFBEATS OUT WITH--

MUSIC:

UP, FOR AN ACCENT ... THEN OUT BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

His adventures took him to the high border country where he fought and conquered men who sought to rob an old lady and her adopted grandson. It must have been fate that guided him there and took him to the side of the woman's deathbed, where he learned about the fourteen-year-old boy whom she had found as a baby, the only survivor of an Indian attack. She handed him a locket that had been about the baby's neck. The Lone Ranger found Dan Reid sitting on the steps of the little white house.

LONE RANGER:

Do you mind if I sit beside you, Dan?

DAN:

No, sir.

LONE RANGER:

Thanks. Your grandmother was a wonderful woman.

DAN:

She sure was.

LONE RANGER:

Before she died, she told me all about you; how she had found you as a baby.

DAN:

That's right. I wasn't her real grandson; I was just adopted. My right name is Dan Reid.

LONE RANGER:

Yes, I know. I saw the pictures of your mother and father in this locket.

DAN:

Dad was a Ranger; a captain.

LONE RANGER:

Yes, I was with him when he was killed. In fact, I promised him I'd try to find you.

DAN:

You did?

LONE RANGER:

Dan, how would you like to go with me?

DAN:

You mean -- travel with you all the time?

LONE RANGER:

Yes.

DAN:

Oh, golly! I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with. But - but why are you doing this for me?

LONE RANGER:

Because, Dan, your father was my brother. I'll tell you about him and what he left you. Your father was one of the men among whom uncommon valor was a common virtue. Those men have handed down a great heritage, which you and others like you must protect and preserve.

MUSIC:

"MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE" SNEAKS IN BEHIND--

LONE RANGER:

It's the heritage of every American, the right to live as free people, in a land where there is true equality of opportunity. But it is your duty to be eternally vigilant, prepared at all times to fight those who dare to challenge our way of life. And you must build. It is your duty to make of this a greater nation, to build homes and farms and villages; mills, factories, and great cities. Property is the fruit of labor. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Abraham Lincoln said, "Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." You have, for your own, a great nation -- together with the will, the heart, the courage, to make it even greater. This is your heritage, Dan. This is the heritage of every American.

MUSIC:

"MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE" TO A STIRRING CONCLUSION

ANNOUNCER:

And that is the message of the Lone Ranger.

MUSIC:

THEME ... UNTIL END

ANNOUNCER:

This is a George W. Trendle production, directed by Charles D. Livingston. This story was written by Fran Striker and the part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beemer.